Catch bomb threat callers, lawmaker urges cops

MANILA, Philippines - The police and other law enforcement agencies should develop means to swiftly apprehend troublemakers who make phony bomb threats, Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo said yesterday.

“We are tired and sick of these hoax bomb scares. Whether the threats are made via a telephone call, text message, electronic mail, social media or any other means online, the authorities have to acquire the know-how to quickly identify and catch the culprits,” he said.

“These are no ordinary pranks. Bomb threats are disruptive, and can create significant anxiety, especially if they persist over a short period of time,” Romulo said.

He said the police and the public have no choice but to respond to every bomb scare, whether real or not.

Romulo made the appeal after the University of the Philippines campus in Quezon City received a false bomb threat.

At least four other Quezon City schools – Miriam College, World Citi Colleges-World Citi Hospital, Claret School, and Holy Family School – plus San Beda College in Manila – have been hit by bomb scares this month.

Romulo said he favors harsher punishment on individuals behind fictitious bomb threats, whether they target schools, offices, or vital installations such as airports.

“There is a pending bill in the House proposing to jack up the penalty to six to 12 years in prison, plus a fine of P1 million to P5 million,” he said.

He said the present penalty under a Marcos decree for the crime of “disseminating false information” about an incendiary device threatening to kill people or destroy property is a maximum of five years in prison.

Romulo noted that law enforcers in the United States “are quite effective” in catching perpetrators of fake bomb scares.